Windows 7: Correct mode for TP-Link access point?

27 Dec 2009

Hi,

My home network consists of 8 PCs, a PVR, an IP Camera, a PS3, a Wii and a network printer. My sons also have iPods they want to connect wirelessly.

My internet connection is cable which connects to a Netgear WNR3500 wireless gigabit router. This is cabled to a DLink 1016D 16 port gigabit switch.

Wireless is enabled on the WNR3500 and the iPods connect fine within a 25-30 foot radius of the router. The PS3 only got a 35-45% signal from 15 feet away so I cabled it. The other end of the house is 60 feet away.

At the other end of the house I have a PC and a PVR connected to a DLINK DGS1008D 8 port gigabit switch.

I purchased a TP-LINK TL-WA601G access point from a computer store who told me this would enable me to have the wireless devices to access the network from that end of the house.

But I can't get it working. I have the same SSID on both wireless routers. I have the TP-Link set to access point mode, and plugged into the switch. The WNR3500 is 192.168.1.250 and the TP-Link is 192.168.1.254. When I look at connected devices on the WNR3500 I do not see the TP-LINK.

Can someone please provide guidance as to how I extend my wireless capabilities to the far end of the house. Sorry for being a noob.

thanks

29 Dec 2009

The simple answer is that the store guy gave me a bum steer.

The correct answer is that the TP-Link had to be configured as a repeater, and the MAC address of the WNR3500 added.

On the Netgear WNR3500 I had to enable the wireless repeater and set it as a repeater base station then add the MAC address of the TP-LINK.

Thanks for your assistance.

aem · 29 Dec 2009

Hi there,

This sound like fun, unfortunately i can only help by pointing you to this tut. Have a read and see how far you go. google is everyone's best friend. G'luck.

Connecting Two Wireless Routers,using Wireless Bridge | Connected Home - Easy Home Networking Guide

30 Dec 2009

Quote: Originally Posted by aem

Hi there,

This sound like fun, unfortunately i can only help by pointing you to this tut. Have a read and see how far you go. google is everyone's best friend. G'luck.

Connecting Two Wireless Routers,using Wireless Bridge | Connected Home - Easy Home Networking Guide

Yer. I'd been googling for hours before I posted. But I was reading stuff about access points. It wasn't until I stumbled upon some stuff about bridges and repeaters that I found I was looking at all the wrong stuff.

Anyway, all is well now.